Rotatable sign



April 21, 1931. F. L. HlNKS 1,801,274

ROTATABLE S IGN Filed Oct. 16, 1930 Patented Apr. 21, 1931 FRED L. HINKS, FORT DODGE, IOWA ROTATAZBLE SIG-N Application filed October 16, 1930. Serial No. 489,054.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of rotatable sign adapted to be rotated by the wind and being particularly suitable for outdoor advertising purposes.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a Wind actuated rotatable sign having an improved form of supporting post; to provide an improved form of bearing in the post for rotatably supporting the sign panel;

and to provide a sign of this kind having improved means for lubricating the bearing.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawing,

. wherein Figure l is a side elevation of an improved sign; the post being partly broken away and being partly shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Rotatable signs, actuated by the wind, have been objectionable principally because they did not include means for properly lubrieating the rotatable parts.

In the improved construction herein shown, the rotatable shaft which carries the sign member, is seated in a well filled with a lubricant which will not be affected by the usual outdoor temperatures. Ice machine oil has been found satisfactory.

In the embodiment illustrated, the invention is applied to a sign comprising an upright hollow post 1, adapted to be supported on theground. Mounted on the upper end of the post is a pipe reducer 2, internally threaded for supporting a shell 3 which extends downwardly into the post. A spacing ring 4 embraces the shell 3 adjacent its lower end.

The shell 3 forms a well for a lubricant 5,

and its loWer end is closed by a threaded cap 6. Supported on the cap 6 is a bushing 7, in which is seated an anti-friction ball 8 for rotatably supporting a vertical shaft 9.

The lower end of the shaft 9 is seated in the bushing 7, and its upper end projects above the post for supporting a sign member 10. A second bushing 11 embraces the shaft 9 adjacent the upper end of the well.

In order to prevent rain, snow and dirt from entering the lubricating well, the shaft 9 has an integral cap 12 which rotates with the shaft and forms a closure for the upper end of the Well.

In the form shown, the sign member 10 includes a rectangular frame 13 which supports a pair of panels 14 on which the ad vertising matter may be painted. The panels 14 are inclined with respect to the plane of the frame 13 so as to define a pair of air pockets 15 to cause rotation of the sign in a very slight wind.

l/Vith this improved construction and arrangement of parts, the signs require no servicing after being erected, because the rotating parts are always properly lubricated.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising an upright hollow post, a well located in the upper portion of said post for containing a lubricant, a bushing in the lower end of said well, an anti-friction ball in said bushing, a vertical shaft having its lower end seated in saidbushing and rotatably supported on said ball, a bushing in the upper portion of said well embracing said shaft, a cap fixed on said shaft and forming a closure for the upper end of said well, and a sign member mounted on the upper end of said shaft for rotation by the wind. 8

2. A device of the class described comprising an upright hollow post, a shell supported within the upper end of said post and forming a well for a lubricant, said shell having a closed lower end and an open upper end, a bushing in the lower end of said shell, an anti-friction ball within said bushing, a vertical shaft having its lower end seated in 'said bushing and rotatably supported on said ball, a bushing supported in the upper portion of said shell and embracing said shaft, a cap fixed 011 said shaft in position to close the upper end of said shell, and a sign member mounted on said shaft above said cap for rotation by the wind.

Signed at Fort Dodge this 10th day of October, 1930.

FRED L. HINKS. 

